Have you heard of the Solo Stove yet? If not, you’re in for a treat because The Solo Stove is the portable (yet powerful) fire pit grill that’s the sweeping the nation by storm.
What is Solo Stove?
Solo Stove is a relatively new company on the grilling scene. They are based in Texas and make a growing selection of fire pits, camp stoves, grill, and accessories focused around the “Awe of the Flame.”
The Solo Stove motto is “Good moments. Good memories. Good products. So you can create a good life.”
What products does Solo Stove Make?
Solo Stove makes a variety of fire pits, camp stoves, grills, and accessories all focused around the basic Solo Stove concept. You can visit the Solo Stove Store and seeing all their products by clicking this pic…
Click the pic to visit the Solo Stove Store
Solo Stoves products are divided into the following categories:
Currently there is only 1 full-size Solo Stove Grill. It uses the Solo Stove “Signature 360° Airflow Design” that lets you go from box to burger in 30 minutes
The Solo Stove Grill looks like this…
Solo Stove Grill
2-Solo Stove Fire Pits
Solo Stove is most known for their fire pits – specifically the Solo Stove Bonfire. Here’s a vid featuring the Bonfire in action…
One of the top products is the Solo Stone Ranger. It’s the most compact fire pit that Solo Stove offers and the Ranger provides a low smoke fire and lots of fun. The Solo Stone Ranger looks like this…
The Solo Stove Bonfire is a larger version of the Ranger and the Bonfire is the most popular Solo Stove product right now. It’s billed as the world’s most unique fire pit because it “pushes the limits of both combustion airflow efficiency and minimalist outdoor design.”
The Solo Stove Bonfire has an all stainless steel construction and the double wall design maximizes airflow and burning process. Meanwhile, bottom vent holes allow oxygen to the feed the fire from below while simultaneously channeling warm oxygen up between the walls of the stove and back into the fire. Best of all, the Solo Stove Bonfire gives you a more complete burn that results in little to no smoke. It also means no more half burnt logs to deal with!
At 27″, the Solo Stove Yukon is the biggest fire pit Solo Stove makes currently. Similar to the Bonfire, the Yukon has double wall design that maximizes airflow and burning process. It also has the same bottom vent holes that allow oxygen to the feed the fire from below while simultaneously channeling warm oxygen up between the walls of the stove and back into the fire. If you want the biggest fire pit from Solo Stove, the Yukon is your best bet.
The Solo Stove Yukon looks like this…
Solo Stove Yukon
Solo Stove Ranger vs Bonfire vs Yukon
How do the Solo Stove Fire Pits compare to one another?
The Ranger is the smallest and most portable. The Bonfire is the mid-size model and the best-selling. The Yukon is the biggest fire pit. You can see how they compare here..
Besides the Solo Stove Grill and the Solo Stove Fire Pits, Solo Stove also makes Camp Stoves. They currently have 3 models – The Lite (for 1-2 people), the Titan (2-4 people), and the CampFire (4+ people). You can compare them here…
Solo Stove Lite vs Titan vs Campfire camp stoves…
Solo Stove Lite vs Titan vs Campfire
Just like with their fire pits, the Solo Stove Camp Stoves’ patented design features a unique double wall that creates ultra-clean gasification and a secondary combustion – this allows fuel to burn more completely and with less smoke.
Shop Solo Stove Camp Stoves here…
Solo Stove LITE
Solo Stove Titan
Solo Stove Campfire
Solo Stove Accessories
Solo Stove Accessories
Why stop with just making fire pits and grills when you can make some cool accessories too? Solo Stove has an ever-growing list of helpful tools to make you a fire pro.
Lots of people ask what are the best accessories for the Solo Stove? We’ve got you covered.
If you’re wondering what the Best Solo Stove Accessories are, we recommend you first consider just buying a bundle when you buy your Solo Stove, pretty much every Solo Stove now comes with a bundle option. You can see them all here.
If you’re ALREADY purchased a Solo Stove and you didn’t get a bundle, don’t worry, you can still buy the accessories by themselves. We recommend you buy the Stand, Shelter, Pit Tools, and windscreen first, then go for the tripod, pots, and fire sticks. Here is a list of every Solo Stove accessory and a link to see them all on Amazon….
Solo Stove’s STOVE Accessories – these include a tripod, fire starters, windscreen, roasting sticks, alcohol burners, plates, bowls, and more – see it all here.
Solo Stove’s COOKING Accessories – this is basically a number of different size cooking pots as well as a tripod to hold them – view them here.
Solo Stove RANGER Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove BONFIRE Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove YUKON Accessories – including a fire pit Stand, Shelter, Shield, Sticks, Lids, and Pit Tools. Multiple BUNDLES are available – see them here.
Solo Stove GRILL Accessories – including Stand, Grill Shelter, All Natural Grill Pack, Grill Tools, and even Charcoal. You can get them in a bundle as well – see it here.
Don’t forget the Solo Stove SWAG – although you can’t get it on Amazon, you can get Solo Stove Hats and T-Shirts from the Solo Stove company store.
Do YOU have a Solo Stove Yet?
If so, let us know what you have, any tips to share, and more in the comments.
Bama-Q is a reality tv show I recently discovered on Amazon Prime Video. It’s a 30-minute TV show that follows members of the Alabama Barbecue Association (Pro and Backyard Divisions) as they compete against the best of the best BBQ teams from all over the US. The series is packed with fun times among good friends that each have a fiercely competitive nature with a desire to win their next Grand Championship.
Why do I enjoy watching Bama-Q?
If you’re a regular reader of ThatHelfpulDad or the LordoftheGrills sites, then you know my friends and I love grilling out together. I’ve published countless articles about the best bbq cookbooks, cooking tips for kamado grills, all about Traeger grills, and more.
Bama-Q Fun to Watch
Bama-Q is a fun show to watch. The episodes are quick and I really enjoy getting to know the people and personalities that make up the various teams competing for BBQ prizes. I had no idea how many BBQ events took place around the country and it brings a smile to your face to see down-home Americana again (it sure makes you miss the good ol’ days before The Covid threatened changed our world)
Bama-Q is filled with TIPS
In addition to the reality show aspect of the BBQ competition, what I like most about Bama-Q is actually the fact that the show is filled with TONS of little tips that can make any BBQ pitmaster better – especially for self-proclaimed neighborhood grill champs like me. Hey I’m always looking for some secret tips I can use against my buddies and I’ve got a few new tricks up my sleeve that I can’t wait to try on my friends.
Bama-Q features Pro teams AND Backyard Teams
Another thing I like about Bama-Q is that it doesn’t focus exclusively on ‘pro’ teams. The show also features the cooks from numerous backyard (i.e. non-professional) teams too. This is important to me because I doubt I’ll ever compete as a BBQ pro, but who knows, maybe one day I might want to try my hand at a BBQ competition and seeing other Backyardigans like me out there gives me some inspiration.
I enjoy getting to know the personalities
There are so many great teams that are featured on Bama-Q including the formidable forces of the Smokin’ Butt Crew, Smoke Me Silly (seems like they ALWAYS win!), BootyQue (what this guy does with pork is incredible), Southpork, and The Georgia Pit Crew (featuring Tina Cotton who also won the Netflix American BBQ Showdown Challenge).
That said, my favs from the show (so far) are Chester Lewis of The Specialists and Tony Mancuso of Bush League BBQ.
Chester Lewis – The Specialists
Tony Mancuso – Bush League BBQ
To be clear, I like all the teams on the show, I’m just highlighting Chester because this guy is like Mr. Team Spirit for Alabama BBQ (he’s always upbeat and positive in cheering on his friends) and Tony because he seems the most like a a down-home kinda guy – we’ll call him Mr. Everyman – he’s self-deprecating and honest about his cooks and I get lots of tips from watching him.
Special shout-out to the Bama-Q host Lisa Blackwell show does a great job of keeping it all together – seamlessly orchestrating the madness of the BBQ competitions and making it all look easy. And kudo’s to executive producer Michael Smith for coming up with the idea for the show!
I like seeing what grills and equipment the pros use.
Another thing I enjoy from the show is seeing the wide variety of grills and smokers the pro’s use to cook. Sure lots of them are high-end custom smokers that are way out of the price range for BBQ wannabes like me, but it was great to see that the pro’s also use lots of smokers that common folk like me use too, including Kamado-style grills like The Big Green Egg, Monolith, (I’m a Kamado Joe guy myself), Grilla Grills, and a wide variety of other units.
I’ve upped my own BBQ game by purchasing some of these and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
The 7:07
The final thing I love about Bama-Q is the 7:07 Toast – this is a group toast with Bud Light that the teams go at 7:07am on the morning of the competition. I could be wrong, but I believe it was started by the Southpork Team (as shown in Season 1 Episode 1).
Who doesn’t like drinking a beer at 7 in the morning? That sounds like a great day of BBQ to me!
If you’re in the market for an air purifier to help enjoy better air quality inside your home, this article will help you. My wife and I recently decided to take the plunge and purchase a high-quality air purifier for our home – ultimately we chose to buy the BlueAir Blue Air Purifier. We’ll tell you why we chose BlueAir, over other great options like the Dyson Pure Air Hot + Cool, Aeris Aair, and a few other brands we believe are worth of consideration.
Mike
About the Editor:
Hi, I’m Mike, That Helpful Dad. When you see a product mentioned on my site, please know that these are products that I personally use and enjoy. This site is reader-supported, and as noted in our Trust Guarantee, when you purchase a product via a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from the seller – as always this never affects the price you pay.
I share my recommendations with you because the products I personally use make a positive difference in my life and I’m hoping they will help YOU live a better life too!
Why buy an air purifier?
Now more than ever, people are looking to protect their air quality, especially since so many people are working from home. A good air purifier will not only remove pollutants like mold, fungus, smoke, pollen, dust, bacteria, allergens, and other germs, but it may also protect you from airborne viruses. (It should be noted that The Centers of Disease Control has suggested that Covid-19/Coronavirus may “sometimes be spread via airborne transmission.”)
What makes for a good air purifier?
A quality air purifier can improve your life – it may help improve your indoor allergies, it may help protect your from germs and airborne viruses, it may help you sleep better at night, and more. But in order to do all that, a good air purifier needs to be able to remove small ‘micron size’ particles from the air, it needs to be powerful enough to clean the good size room, quiet enough that you can sleep with it in your bedroom, and inexpensive enough that people can actually afford it.
Aeris Aair are Swiss-made air purifiers that boast big-time capabilities for home and professional life. They are ‘medical-certified’ units capable of filtering out particles as small at 0.1 microns (that’s small!). The Aeris Air Pro is one of the most popular models but it’s somewhat expensive and hard to find availability for. Most consumers on a budget will want to take a look at the Aeris Aair Lite model.
Medify is a company that specializes in air purifiers, humidiers, and filters. They have a number of highly rated, affordable, air purifiers that combine modern design and current tech. You can shop their entire air purifier lineup with on the Medify Amazon Shop page. Medify air purifiers used medical-grade HEPA-13 Filters.
Their newest model is the Medify MA-25 which is an affordable little unit for smaller rooms. We took a strong look at the Medify Air MA-112 Air Purifier because it offers 99.9% particle remove for homes up to 3,700 sq feet in one hour – now that’s power!
The Alen Corporation is another company that specializes in air purifiers, humidifiers, and related products for homes, offices, and schools. Their air purifiers are consistently top-rated products. Entry price point is around $350 for small room.
The unit we recommend is their “Breathesmart Classic” model which will cover up to 1100 sf with a HEPA Filter that removes contaniments as small as 0.3 microns – perfect for Smoke, VOC’s, Chemicals, Allergies, Pollen, Dust, Dander, Pet Fur and more. This unit also features an “AIR QUALITY SENSOR LIGHT” that changes in real time to ‘show’ you air in your room. Additionally, this unit is one of the QUIETEST air purifiers on the market.
We love Dyson products and have consistently been pleased with them for 20+ years. The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool purifies, heats, and cools your air all while using a sealed HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of allergens as small as 0.3 microns. It functions as a space heater, tower fan AND HEPA Air Purifier that uses backward airflow to purify your air.
The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool air purifier is our runner up and honestly the only reason we didn’t buy it came down to cost, specifically, because we are a family of 5 and wanted to purchase three air purifiers, it became cost prohibitive to purchase 3 Dyson’s vs 3 BlueAirs.
BlueAir is a company that does ONE thing – make some of the most popular air purifiers on the planet. After thorough research, our family elected to purchase multiple BlueAir Blue air purifiers – specifically we bought one BlueAir Blue 211+ and multiple additional BlueAir Blue 411’s. The price to value ratio for BlueAir Blue air purifiers is hard to beat = you get great quality for a great price.
The BlueAir Blue 211+ features a HEPA filter that removes pollutants down to 0.1 micron size, including Airborne Pollutants Like Viruses, Pollen, Dust, Pet Dander, Mold, Bacteria and More. Additionally, it’s QUIET (just 31-56 decibels), doesn’t use a lot of power (30-60watts) and it capable of filtering the air in a 500+ sf room 5times per hour.
No matter which air purifier you decide to get, a few tips may help you get the most out of it.
Pay attention to SIZE – some air purifiers can get pretty big – this is especially true if you have a large room. Look at the dimensions before you buy so you don’t have any surprises.
Pay attention to the NOISE – if you plan on putting an air purifier in a room with a tv or music system, pay special attention to the decibel rating – you don’t want a loud air purifier competing with your entertainment system.
Plan on One Air Purifier Per Room – don’t put more than one air purifier in the same room if you can help it. Measure your room and choose the correct size air purifier for that space. You probably do not need an air purifier for every single room.
Choose a Good Location – you’ll want to put your air purifier at least 12-18 inches from any walls or furniture. The close you can get to the midpoint of the room the better.
Keep it ON – most air purifiers are meant to be running all day every day. If you want to get the best air quality, leave the unit on per the manufacturer’s instructions. The EXCEPTION to this would be on days you want to keep your doors/windows open – in that case, you’re likely to hear ‘dad’ say “turn that thing off, I’m not paying to purify the outside!” (HAHA)
Clean the filter regularly – depending on the unit’s filter, this may be monthly.
Replace the filter on schedule – depending on the filter, this may yearly.
Read the user manual – it could have important tips that can help you get the best results.
Shop Best Air Purifiers
Here’s a link to the best rated air purifiers on Amazon…
What’s YOUR Take?
Do you agree with our list of the best air purifiers? Do you have another unit?
Let us know your vote for the best air purifier in the comments below.
Are you looking for a great man cave pool table? Here are some of the best options currently available, as well as some additional information to help you decide between them. Pool tables may look the same from the outside, but they do have plenty of features that can set them apart from each other.
How To Choose A Pool Table
Pool table man cave setups vary, but the first and most thing to consider is the size. Pool tables do vary in size, though most fall into one of four popular sizing options. These are:
7 feet
8 feet
8.5 feet
9 feet
Smaller and larger tables do exist, but most people do not buy those.
All regulation-style pool tables have a 2:1 size ratio, which means they’re twice as long as they are wide. The rims of pool tables may vary further based on factors like what extras come with the table, but most don’t go past a few inches.
Every foot matters when you’re designing a man cave, so make sure to measure your space before going shopping.
Pool Tables vs. Billiards Tables
While people often associate these products with each other, and companies may even use the names interchangeably, pool tables are not the same as billiards tables. Pool tables have six pockets, and many modern tables have a manual or automated ball return system that deposits all of the balls together.
It’s always better to have a ball return system when possible. While pool tables without ball returns are a little cheaper, the pockets can fill up and require emptying mid-game. This is noticeably less fun for most players.
Billiard tables do not have pockets, which makes identifying them on sight easy. That said, some tables may have removable inserts that you can use to convert a pool table into a billiards table, so you don’t necessarily have to buy two tables if you want to play both types of games.
Common Features Of Pool Tables
Here are the most common features you may see when shopping for a man cave pool table.
Covers
Pool tables sometimes come with hard covers that match the table’s main material, usually some type of wood. These covers allow for easy conversion between gaming table and regular table, allowing you to eat, prop your feet up, or otherwise enjoy using your pool table for other things.
We don’t recommend doing shop work on top of a pool table, even if you have a hardwood cover on it, but these covers do support most other activities.
Style
Most pool tables sold in the United States are, unsurprisingly, known as American tables. These types of pool tables are a little larger than their main competitors. More notably, they also tend to have wide corner pockets and narrow center pockets.
English pool tables are rarer (unless you’re in England, of course) and have a reverse pocket design from American tables. That is, the corner pockets tend to be narrower, while the middle pockets tend to be wider. This can have a significant impact on strategies during a game, so deciding between them is important.
We recommend getting the American style because that’s what most people you invite over are likely to be familiar with.
Commercial Tables
Commercial tables are more expensive than a traditional man cave pool table, but they also have more options. For example, you may have push-button operation, coin payment systems, or other features. Commercial tables also tend to have better ball return systems and may have storage cabinets or other decorative features.
Bed Materials
Pool tables usually use one of two bed materials, either of which can be covered by the traditional green cloth.
The most affordable option, and what you’re likely to see while shopping, is an MDF bed. This acronym stands for medium-density fiberboard, which is a type of durable wood mix shaped into boards. However, while it’s light and easy to ship, MDF can also warp over time and won’t play as true. If you want to play pool regularly for a long time, do not buy an MDF bed.
The other common bed material is slate. While it’s heavier and more expensive than MDF, it’s also fundamentally better because it will not change or deteriorate over time. This is the bed style you’ll see in any professional or commercial environment, such as pubs or pool halls.
We recommend getting a slate bed if you can afford it. Remember that you do not have to replace the entire bed if the cloth on top gets worn. You can fit a new cloth over the top without much difficulty.
Pricing
Pool tables have an extremely wide pricing range compared to many other types of products. Knowing the categories is essential for getting the best table for your family.
$100-$1200: Toy Tables
Toy-tables are the cheapest versions of pool tables. They rarely go below $100 and typically use plastic, wood laminate, or other cheap materials to keep costs down. While these aren’t anywhere near commercial-grade, they are worth considering if you only want to play a few games every now and then and don’t need heavy use.
$1200-$2000: Basic Tables
Basic tables are made of wood but typically last for at least a decade without issue. They tend to be heavier and more solid than other tables, and this is where you’ll start to see decent ball return systems. With refurbishing, basic tables can last considerably longer.
$2000-$3500: Mid-Range Tables
Mid-range tables are a significant upgrade over basic tables. They also come in many more styles to help match the decor of your man cave. These are a good choice for lifetime investments, and you can often pass them down to your kids.
$3500+: Heirloom/Commercial Tables
These are the best tables. Heirloom tables are generational products meant for your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren to enjoy, which is why they’re heavier and more durable than others. Commercial tables also tend to fall into this price range.
While this heirloom-level table is expensive, it’s also extremely high-quality. It includes your choice of many cloth colors to match the rest of your man cave, and more importantly, it has professional installation from the dealer included in the purchase. That’s good because it weighs about 650 pounds.
Pros:
A top-quality product that’s worth the price
Excellent customer service
Flexible installation plans to ensure it can get into your man cave
Comes with diamond-honed slate surfaces for accuracy
Cons:
Significantly more expensive than the other options on this list
RACK’s Draco Pool Table is still relatively expensive, but it’s far more affordable than the Olhausen above. Oversized leg levelers make it easy to adjust this table to different flooring environments, while the professional-grade felt offers a bold appearance.
Pros:
Excellent table for the price range
Comes with a lifetime warranty
Weighs 282 pounds, which is sturdy enough to support people
Has a scratch-resistant coating
Cons:
The exterior looks fundamentally cheaper than real wood
Smaller than most professional-style pool tables
An awkward middle ground between price and quality
Far smaller than a regulation-size table, this miniature pool table is great for cramped man caves or casual games where you just want to have fun. The Goplus Billiard Table offers…
Pros:
Far more affordable than a full-size table
Excellent starter table for anyone who wants to practice before investing in a full table
One of the best pool table options if you want to play with kids
Sometimes portability is the most important factor when you’re designing a man cave with pool table options. GLD Products’ Fat Cat Trueshot is a 6-foot pool table (which makes it slightly smaller than regulation), built on easy-folding metal legs.
Pros:
You can store it when you’re not using it
It’s surprisingly durable for its design
Good for newcomers
Cons:
Weighs 114 pounds, so it’s not as portable as it looks
Tack scores another one on our list with the Scopius model – this pool table is a decent option in its own right and on the high end of the toy table pricing range. However, what sets it apart from the other options on this list is the two-piece table tennis top that slides under the main body of the pool table, giving it added flexibility for other types of games. The Rack Scorpius pool table features…
Pros:
Allows you to play games besides pool
Comes in a stylish red-and-blue color scheme
Uses oversize leg levelers
Cons:
The table tennis part weighs about 70 pounds, making it hard to set up alone
Does not support angles table tennis play
Conclusion
The Olhausen billiards table is easily the best product on this list. It’s full-sized, sturdy, and designed for regular use over decades of play. However, it’s also much heavier (and more expensive) than most people want for a man cave. If you’re looking for a “regular” table instead of a premium option, look at the RACK Draco instead. If you’re looking at turning in that old foosball table for a new billiards table, we have you covered there too.
About the author
The staff at ThatHelpfulDad says thanks to our friends at Beyond Yard for writing this guest post article. Beyond Yard is a site all about grilling and backyard fun so if you enjoyed this write-up be sure to check out their site to learn more.
American Barbeque Showdown is a cooking competition style show that debuted on Netflix during the final days the Summer of 2020 – providing a much needed slice of life during the frustrating ‘pandemic’ lockdowns that plagued us this year. The show is definitely worth a watch for for fans of cooking shows, especially those who want to up their BBQ game. In this article, we’ll give you a few tidbits about the show, tell you what smokers the cooks used on the show, and provide links to learn more.
Where to watch American Barbeque Showdown?
American BBQ Showdown is only on Netflix so you’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch it. There is currently 1 season of 8 episodes. Here is a direct link to the title on Netflix.
Click here to watch the show
What is American BBQ Showdown about?
American BBQ Showdown features 8 of the country’s best backyard smokers and pitmasters competing in a series of 8 BBQ smoking trials as they vie for the title of American Barbecue Champion in a fierce but friendly faceoff. In each show, one contestant is eliminated by the judges. Here is the official Trailer for American BBQ Showdown
What Smokers are used on American Barbeque Showdown?
One of the things I was most interested to see about the show American BBQ Showdown was exactly what smokers the chefs would end up using most often. From what I saw while watching the show, the most popular smokers used in the show were: (click any pic to learn more)
Lang 48″ Deluxe Offset Smoker
Big Green Egg
Traeger Pellet Grill
Weber Kettle
Pit Barrel Smoker
Campfire Cooking
Far and away the go-to smoker for the contestants was the Lang 48″ Offset Smoker (which actually debuted on the show) – this is not surprising given their experience with smoking as many of the cooks were said to be competition smokers and an offset smoker is a de facto requirement on that circuit.
The runner up to the offset smoker was the kamado grill – on the show that was the Big Green Egg. You’ll know from our site that we are BIG fans of kamado style cooking and love our BGE and Kamado Joe smokers.
Third most popular was Traeger Pellet Grill and the simple but masterful Weber Kettle. The Pit Barrel was used numerous times and even a simple dutch oven over an open fire was used when the cooks made various stews.
American BBQ Showdown episode list
1 “Barbecue in the Blood” 2 “Red, White and Barbecue” 3 “Don’t Need Teeth to Eat this Beef” 4 “Tournament of Sandwiches” 5 “Raccoon, Iguana and Hare – Oh My!” 6 “Cooking it Old School” 7 “Barbecue Around the World” 8 “The. Whole. Hog.”
Fun fact, Rasheed Philips has become so popular from the show that he now has his own podcast!
Rasheed Philips
Rasheed won fans galore not only for being an amazing cook on the show but also for having heart – during episode 5 when Ashley was having a hard time with the wild game meats and seemed like he was about to quit, Rasheed stop multiple times to help Ashley – mind you this is a COMPETITION and Rasheed put that aside and helped his fellow man. Amazing stuff! You can learn more about Rasheed on his blog: https://philipsbarbequeco.com/
Tina Cotton, Pit Crew GA
Tina is a long-time competitive BBQ competitor and, together with her husband and their beloved rescue dog Cody, Tina has been the pitmaster of numerous championship cooks. She’s no stranger to cooking shows either – having also appeared on a 2014 Travel Channel show called “American Grilled” and also as a regular guest on the multi-season BBQ show called “Bama-Q” (a 30-minute TV show that follows members of the Alabama Barbecue Association as they compete against the best of the best BBQ teams from all over the US).
How do I shop for the Smokers used on American Barbeque Showdown?
The Lang 48″ Deluxe Offset Smoker is currently only being sold on Lang’s website – you can learn more about it here: Lang 48″ Models
The Big Green Egg Smoker is sold throughout the country and online. If you already have a BGE, you’ll enjoy this article…
Traeger is THE name in pellet grills and you can show for Traeger on Amazon or easily find the model you want on our site. Here’s one of many articles we have on how to choose the Traeger that right for you…
The Weber Kettle is ubiquitous among the smoking community and it’s easy to find these grills. Here’s a link to Weber’s page on Amazon.
Wanna cook over an open fire like in the show? Then get yourself a Lodge Campfire Dutch Oven and a Campfire Tripod. Here’s what you want… (click the pic to learn more)
Lodge Dutch Oven
Campfire Tripod
American Barbeque Showdown – YOUR Take?
Did you watch the show? Which contestant did you like the best? What recipe really surprised you? What are you smoking on now? Share your take in the comments below…
Are you a Kamado Joe owner like me? Whether you’re a long-time owner of a KJ or a newbie, this article can help. We’ll discuss which accessories are the best to buy for your Kamado Joe and why. You’ll find reviews, tips, and recommendations for over 200 Kamado Joe accessories that will take your cooks to the next level.
Kamado Joe Accessories – Top 10 List
There are 200+ recommended accessories for your Kamado Joe on this page, but if you don’t have time to read all the reviews, watch the vids, and fully engage with this page, then here’s a quick ‘Top 10’ List to get your started.
1-Kamado specific Cookbook
Don’t overlook this item if you are new to kamado cooking – there is a learning curve with your KJ and these two books are great ‘user manuals’ that will help you learn the craft faster.
Seriously if you only get 1 item from this entire page, get one of these books and read the section about ‘how to use a kamado’ so you can overcome the learning curve faster. The tips in these books are invaluable and I wish I would have read them when I first started.
Here are 3 great kamado cookbooks to get you started:
Accept no substitute for the most awesome kamado rotisserie unit for your Kamado Joe – The JoeTisserie!
It add so much flexibility to your cooking repertoire – check out this video to learn more…
4- Kamado Pizza Accessories
Because you know you want to make pizzas in your KJ, right? Try one of these pizza stones or get the new Kamado Joe DoJoe to get a real wood-fired pizza oven experience!
Check out this vid to see the Kamado Joe DoJoe in action…
Here are some more pizza accessories to consider for your Kamado Joe…
The Kamado Joe cast iron inserts for your Divide and Conquer Flexible Cooking System are a great start. Other options are a dutch oven (with a wire handle for easier lifting) or highly functional plancha pan.
Learn more about cast-iron under Cooking Surfaces below.
As fun as it is to cook on the Kamado Joe nobody wants to sit by the fire all day. You want be with friends, drink a few brews, and relax without always wondering about the temps of your meats. Having a good remote thermometer allows you to do that. The top two brands (in my opinion) ThermoPro or Maverick.
Stop with the blow torches and the tumbleweed, just get an electric charcoal lighter – it’s easier. End of story. You’ll thank me for this one. Kamado Joe makes a good electric lighter and so does Grill Dome:
Because it will increase your airflow and get more from your lump. The classic option is the Kick Ash Basket but Kamado Joe now has their own version too.
9-Quality Lump Charcoal & Smoking Wood Chunks
No matter what accessories you buy for your Kamado Joe or how well you manage your fire, if you don’t have quality lump charcoal and/or quality smoking wood chunks to cook with, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. There’s nothing like doing everything right and then having the food taste bad because the lump charcoal you used was made with poor quality wood or too much of a particularly strong wood (like hickory). I’d recommend you buy good quality lump charcoal that has a mix of hardwoods that work with all types of foods for your basic cooks and then buy smoking wood chunks for particular flavor profiles you want to add in later (such as hickory for chicken, fruit woods for fish, etc).
I think so. Particularly when you get a grilling basket with a removable handle it allows you to turn fish, veggies, and delicate items easily – saving time, hassle, AND protecting your food. Here are a few I like…
Obviously you’re gonna need some quality meat and plenty of friends and family to enjoy your KJ cooks with, but for now these 10 “Must Have” accessories are the basics that will get you fast-tracked for success with your Kamado Joe. Once you have these in your arsenal, then move on to the full list below.
THE FULL LIST – 200+ Best Accessories for your Kamado Joe
I. Cooking Surfaces
Before we get started on discussing the best cooking surfaces for Kamado Joe we’d be remiss if we didn’t pay homage to the fact that even though Kamado Joe wasn’t the first kamado to the party, KJ has revolutionized the kamado industry – not just with the quality of the Kamado Joe in general but with their continued commitment to INNOVATION. There is perhaps no greater example of this than Kamado Joe’s world-famous “Divide and Conquer” Flexible Cooking System. Since many of the cooking surfaces we’re about to recommend utilize the amazing Divide and Conquer system, let’s just make sure you understand the advantages it offers you…
Now that we understand what the Divide and Conquer system is, let’s look at some great cooking surfaces that you can use in it…
Must Have Surface – Kamado Joe Cast Iron GRIDDLE
Why you need the Cast Iron Griddle.
The Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle is the #1 “Must Have” Cooking Surface according to most KJ Owners I’ve talked to and I would agree – it’s just so versatile.
Click Pic to check price on Amazon
Check out my full review to learn more about the Kamado Joe Cast Iron Griddle. Meanwhile doesn’t this vid look good?
Although the cast-iron griddle is very versatile and I believe should be your first ‘cast iron’ choice, the grates are also useful – you’ll allow more flames thru the grates vs the griddle and you’ll also get those beautiful grill marks too. For the money, the Kamado Joe Cast Iron grates are a good value. Here’s the latest Amazon pricing…
Chef’s Surface – Kamado Joe Soapstone Surface
Although I think it’s a nice to have item, others disagree. In fact, this is a bit of a controversial choice because many KJ owners on Facebook consider the Kamado Joe Soapstone cooking surface even more of a must-have than the cast iron griddle.
The Kamado Joe Soapstone is great for cooking more delicate items like fish and veggies that you don’t want to use on a cedar plank or in a basket and Chef Eric Gephart with Kamado Joe the alleged master of cooking with surface.
One of my family and friends’ favorite things to make in our Kamado Joe is wood-fired pizzas. They’re fun to make, taste great, and easy to do. See for yourself…
So now that you’re ready to make some pies on your KJ, what are the best pizza accessories? Here’s a few to add to your shopping list:
Kamado Joe DoJoe (we talked about this one in the Top 10 List above – it will turn your KJ into a real wood-fired pizza making machine!)
If you like making ‘beer can’ chicken, this may be fore you.
FYI, lots of KJ Owners on FB don’t like this item and many do NOT think this is even a nice-to-have, but I really do like mine and thinks it’s a convenient way to cook beer can chicken.
An assortment of useful cooking pans that sit on the grates and/or fit into the Kamado Joe Accessory Rack. Item #1 (The Plancha) is super popular and highly useful.
There’s no denying that there IS a learning curve when it comes to kamado grill cooking. Do yourself a favor and don’t try to figure it all out on your own – you’ll just end up burning a lot of food and getting frustrated. It doesn’t have to be that way. There are a number of good books out there that can help you master kamado cooking and speed up your learning curve. Here are two of my favorites books – they provide some awesome kamado grill recipes as well as MANY helpful tips.
As I said above, the top two books you must get are…
Hot Coals and Smoke It Like a Pro are basically ‘user manuals’ for your kamado grill and that alone would be reason to purchase them. But on top of that, both of these books also have some great kamado recipes I use all the time. Can you say “Bonus!”
These two titles are truly must-have books for all new kamado owners so be sure to pick them up.
Here are a few more kamado and smoking meat cookbooks – these are from the biggest names in the industry…
What is an Ash Basket and why might you want one for your kamado?
An Ash Basket lets you simply lift out used charcoal and ash before every cook and it is reported to increase air flow around your lump charcoal.
When you use an ash basket you can dispose of ashes and be ready for your next cook in seconds—no muss, no fuss. Just lift the ash basket out and give it a few shakes in your grill or over a trash can (make sure the fire is completely out!), then set the ash basket back in place, add some fresh charcoal, and you’re ready to go in seconds.
Spaces between the ash basket’s rings allow the small particles to fall through when you shake the ashes out. You can start each cook with an ideal fuel load, whether you’re searing steaks or going low and slow. You get easier starts and more even burning for ultimate temperature control.
The most popular choices for ash baskets are the Kick Ash Basket and the new Kamado Joe Ash Basket.
The Kick Ash Basket
The most popular Kamado Joe accessory that is not a cooking surface that’s recommended by Kamado Joe owners on Facebook is the Kick Ash Basket.
Click pic to check price on Amazon
The Kick Ash Basket’s wire construction also allows much freer airflow than the stock grate. Open up the vents and you can achieve high temperatures faster than you’ve been able to reach them before. Create perfectly-seared steaks and chops, incredible “brick oven” pizza, and more. You can use the Kick Ash Basket with or without your lower charcoal grate underneath it. If you travel with your grill for tailgating, competition or just showing off for Thanksgiving, it takes a long time for your cooker to cool down and prevents you from loading up the Kamado in your vehicle right away. The Kick Ash Basket lets you lift out the hot remaining charcoal and dispose of it properly.
Grab a beer, watch the game, and relax – you can do all of that and more with a good remote thermometer – another must have accessory for kamado grills in my book.
You’ll need a quality instant thermometer as well as a “Candy” thermometer if you want to monitor frying oils, etc. And don’t overlook the Temperature “Gun” for checking surfacetemps accurately on your grill cooking surfaces and so much more (I use it all the time).
VII. Tips for Charcoal, Fire Starters, Gloves, and more…
An Electric Charcoal Lighter
C’mon man, it’s just easier! Who wants to waste time and money trying to light your Kamado Joe? Not me, that’s why I consider an electric charcoal lighter to be a must-have kamado grill accessory. You have LOTS of other things to worry about – getting the fire started with your lump should not be one of them!
Personally I use the KJ-Char. Now I know there are a lot of charcoal options out there when it comes to kamado grilling and there’s even a list of quality options on the Naked Whiz Database, but for my money, I believe in the Kamado Joe Lump Charcoal brand – specifically the Big Block XL version. Why? Because not only is the bag filled with really big lumps of charcoal, but even more importantly, the type of wood used is a combination of various hardwoods so you get a great flavor but not an overpowering flavor. (If you’ve ever used lump charcoal that is primarily made with hickory then you know what I mean). The KJ-Char is great for kamado grill cooking because you can use it for all types of food – from pizza, to chicken, to beefs, to pork, and fish. It works for all of it and it compliments it all well. Using KJ-Char as your base also gives you the flexibility to then add your own wood chips to add additional specific flavors (cherry, pecan, apple, etc) depending on what you’re cooking.
Now if you’ve already put your Kamado Joe into a permanent place in your outdoor kitchen then just skip this part.
Sadly when I built my outdoor kitchen I didn’t take the builder’s advice and put in a kamado — then again he recommended a Big Green Egg so perhaps it’s good I waited?
Instead I put in a sink that I rarely use – boo hoo.
And a side-burner that I never use – boo hoo hoo!
But thankfully I did put in a fridge, it’s stocked with beer, and I use that ALL the time – whew!
So alas, my outdoor kitchen lacks a Kamado Joe station, but don’t feel too bad for me, I like to think my setup is still pretty sweet (anytime you can watch TV from the pool AND be grilling I call that a win)…
This was my setup before the KJ Table…
So….
Assuming you don’t have the option to put in an outdoor kitchen (or you already built one like I did WITHOUT a KJ and you don’t want to modify it), AND assuming you don’t just want to keep your Kamado Joe in a nest, then there IS probably one more thing you’re gonna want pretty soon after you get your KJ.
Now if you are a handy man, there are lots of plans on the internet about how to make your own custom kamado grill table. Unfortunately I’m not crafty so I purchased my table online.
Here’s an article I wrote about the Best Kamado Grill Tables>>>
Don’t Forget the COVER…
BTW, if you want a COVER that will fit over BOTH the kamado grill AND the table, I found one of those too on Amazon:
Best Accessories for Kamado Joe – What do YOU Recommend?
Ok, friends, that’s my Top 10 List of Must-Have Accessories (and a few more) for your Kamado Joe, but what do YOU recommend? I’d be curious to know – is there anything I am overlooking? Drop you comments below and let me know. I’m always looking to up my game and appreciate the advice. Here are some examples from my friends on Facebook in the Kamado Joe Grilling Group Courtesy of Lew Jansen Courtesy of BobandMilissa Keel
Wait, You Don’t Have a Kamado Joe Yet?
What are you waiting for, dude? If you are still not sure about the KJ, ready my article “Why I Chose the Kamado Joe” and then pick up the model that works best for you.
There’s never been a better time to buy a Kamado Joe – the release of the new Kamado Joe III that features the new SloRoller smoke chamber is a game changer. Buy yours today!
Kamado Joe III
This size is ideal for most people in my opinion, it also has the most accessories for best price.
Kamado Joe Big Joe III
If you entertain for large groups or have a big family the Big Joe is for you. But keep in mind that the accessories are 25-50% more in cost.
Looking for some great prime rib recipes to cook on your Traeger Grill? Check out these delicious ideas to cook your next Rib Roasts on a Traeger Grill: Smoke Prime Rib Recipe, Roasted Herb Crusted Prime Rib Recipe, and Roasted Prime Rib with Garlic and Coffee Rub. Best of all, these 3 recipes are from the Official Traeger Store on Amazon so you know they’re tried and true tips that will work great!
[lwptoc]
Recipe: Smoked Prime Rib with Traeger Prime Rib Rub
Tip: Click the pics if you want to enlarge the recipe
Traeger Smoked Prime Rib Recipe
What you’ll need: (click links to see the item on Amazon)
Streaming TV Channel Comparison Chart for all your favorite streaming services. You’ll find current channel lineups for YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, Philo, and AT&T TV Now (formerly DirecTV Now). See if your favorite channels are on a specific streaming service and how easy it is to cut the cord and ditch cable. Our list even includes live local channels, premium movie channels, add-on packages, and more. It’s never been easier to save money with streaming apps and our streaming channel comparison chart will help you do just that!
[lwptoc]
Streaming TV Channel Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart for the six most popular streaming tv providers: AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Philo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. On the chart you’ll see over 100 channels (from ABC to We TV) and various add-on packages offered by the different providers.
But that’s not all, our chart also features the following comparisons too:
So you’ve decided you want to buy a wood-fired pellet grill and more specifically you want that pellet grill to be a TRAEGER Grill, but you’re still not sure which model is the best for you? If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll help you learn more about the various Traeger Grill models and narrow down your choice to which model is the Best Traeger Grill for YOU.
[lwptoc]
Why Buy a Traeger?
If you’re reading this article, I probably don’t need to ‘sell’ you on why the Traeger Brand is the best choice when it comes to a wood-fired pellet grill. After all Traeger was the ‘original’ pellet grill and their history dates back to 1986.
As you probably know by now Traeger makes it easy to grill however you like best – no matter which grill you go with, Traeger’s 6-in-1 ability means you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ your way to pure, hardwood flavor. A fast learning curve, simple to use grilling technology, the ability to get consistent temperature control, AND great value for the money has made the Traeger Grill brand one of the most popular in the US today.
Understanding the Different Models of Traeger Grill
Because there are so many Traeger Models with different names, it can be intimidating to shop for a Traeger Grill in the beginning. But have no fear, we can help you understand the differences between the Traeger Grill models.
At the time of this article, Traeger currently make 4 models of pellet grills. They are:
Traeger Portables – the most portable options of Traegers – including the Scout, Ranger, and Tailgator models. The Scout and Ranger are super mini versions, while the Tailgator looks more like a traditional Traeger but has folding legs.
Traeger Pro – The most popular options for Traeger Grills. With a mid-range price points, the Pro Series are what most people will start their Traeger journey with. What’s great about the Pro line is that you can still enjoy Traeger’s WiFire technology (wifi connectivity) so you can control your Traeger Grill with the Traeger app on your mobile device – that means you can have a beer and watch the ball game inside while your Traeger is cooking outside!
Traeger Ironwood Series – If you want to enjoy more features than the Pro offers, the Ironwood Traegers may be for you. Here you’ll find larger cooking space and more technology (TRU convection, Super Smoke Mode, DownDraft Exhaust, and more).
Traeger Timberline series – Looking for a top-of-the-line Traeger? Then The Timberline is for you – these are the biggest, macked-out Traeger’s you can buy, with up to 1300 sq inches to grill on and all the tech Traeger has to offer.
Other Models: Traeger also has models & model combinations under the names Bronson, Renegade, Texas & Lil’ Tex, Junior Elite, XL, and Commercial. Some are sold at Big Box Stores like Costco or online.
What do the NUMBERS mean on the Traeger Grill Models?
As of 2019, the number that you see on the Traeger Grill Models means how large the COOKING SURFACE is. So, for example, the Traeger Pro Series 780 Pellet Grill will have 780 square inches of cooking space. And just like that the mystery is gone!
Best Traeger Grills
It’s now time to look at the best Traeger Grills, we’re going to give you one model from each of the four model lines. That means the best Portable Traeger Grill, the best Traeger Pro Series Grill, the Best Traeger Ironwood Grill, and the Best Traeger Timberline Grill. Knowing what’s the best from each line should help you narrow down your choice and make the best buying decision for your family. Let’s get to it…
Unless space is severely limited and/or you just must have a tabletop unit, if you want a true Traeger Grill experience in a portable model, do yourself a favor and choose the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill. There’s nothing wrong with the Traeger Scout and Ranger models, but they don’t compare to the experience of the Traeger Tailgater 20.
Traeger Tailgator 20
Why is the Traeger Tailgater 20 the best Traeger Portable Grill?
From game days to getaways, bring wood-fired flavor everywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Featuring a compact, portable design, it’s prime for balconies, tailgating or anywhere else you want to take 6-in-1 versatility and superior taste. And now it comes armed with Traeger’s Digital Arc controller for more precise, consistent temperatures and a Keep Warm Mode that keeps food fresh until chow time.
That means that with the Traeger Tailgater 20 you can enjoy all the benefits of that true wood-pellet grilling experience AND take it with you! With foldable legs and a total weight around 60 lbs, the Traeger Tailgator 20 is easy to transport. But don’t let it’s light weight fool you, this is a real Traeger grill that uses a hopper for wood pellets and the hopper is big enough to hold 8 lbs of wood pellets so you can still cook for 5-6 hours without refilling.
Traeger Tailgator 20 Features
The Traeger Tailgator 20 is also big enough to cook a nice meal on. The grilling space is 20 x 15 inches which is 300 square inches. That’s the right size to cook multiple rib racks, a couple chickens, a boat load of burgers, and more.
Other features of the Traeger Tailgater 20 include:
Digital Arc Controller allows you to set the temperature in 5-degree increments
Keep Warm Mode ensures food is “hot-off-the-grill” no matter when you eat
Advanced Grilling Logic for precise temperature performance
Meat Probe to check temps without lifting the lid
300 sq. in. (20″ x 15″) Grilling Area
EZ-Fold Legs
Traeger Tailgater 20 Grilling Capacity
Here’s what you can fit on a Traeger Tailgator 20…
Traeger Tailgator 20 Video Review
Here’s a very thorough video review of the Traeger Tailgator 20 from Jus’ Piddlin BBQ…
Traeger Tailgater 20 – Current Prices
Ready to buy a Traeger Tailgater 20? Check the latest price here…
The Pro Series line of Traeger Grills is the most popular and it offers you the most model choices – by far. Check out this chart and see just SOME of the models in the Traeger Pro series lineup.
Traeger Pro Series Lineup
Which Traeger Grill Pro Series Model is right for you?
From the list I showed you in the pic above, you’re best bets are going to be either the Traeger Pro 780 or the Pro 575.
The other Pro Series models you see only have the basic digital controller, but the Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 575 both have Traeger’s new WiFire Controller (which will give you the option of controlling temps from your mobile device) along with other newer features not always available in older Pro models.
How do you decide between the Traeger Pro 780 vs 575?
We recommend the Traeger Pro 780 over the Traeger Pro 575?
The most popular Traeger Grill Pro Series model (especially for newbies) is the Traeger Pro 575 however we are recommending you strongly consider the Traeger Pro 780.
You really can’t go wrong with either model, but you can go RIGHTER (if that’s a word?) with the Traeger Pro 780 because time and again on forums and Facebook groups you’ll hear people who have the 575 say “I wished they would have bought the 780 instead.”
Why do people like the Traeger 780 vs the 575? It really comes down to grilling SPACE. Remember, the Traeger Pro 575 has 575 square inches of grilling space, while the Traeger Pro 780 has 780 square inches. That’s a pretty big difference.
The fact is that you will LOVE whichever Traeger model you get and you will WANT to cook on it all the time. That means you’ll be cooking for more and more people and trying new and different things – the Traeger Pro 780 will give you the space you need to experiment on it to your heart’s delight.
If you want a Traeger Pro Series Grilll and you have the budget, then get the Traeger Pro 780 over the Pro 575.
Traeger Pro 780 Features
The Traeger Pro Series is the best-selling pellet grill in the world and the all-new Traeger Pro 780 grill just got better with an enhanced controller that uses WiFIRE® technology. WiFIRE® allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anytime, anywhere from the Traeger app on your smartphone. Here’s a quick intro to WiFire tech on a Traeger…
The Traeger Pro 780 has a LOT more than just WiFire. It also includes all the following features too…
Pro D2 controller – as easy as using an oven. Just turn the dial to the desired temp, hit Ignite, and you’re Trailering.
Wifire technology – allows you to monitor and adjust your grill anywhere.
Pro D2 direct drive – Improves searing and let’s you cook Low and slow or hot and fast.
Turbotemp – Lightning fast start Up times and quicker recovery.
Check out all these great features of the Traeger Pro 780 Grill in this picture essay…
What’s all this add up to?
The Traeger Pro 780 Series wifi pellet grills now starts quicker, heats up faster, and puts out better smoke quality giving you consistent results infused with wood-fired flavor every time!
How much can you cook on a Traeger Pro 780 at one time?
The Traeger Pro 780 has enough capacity to cook the following at the same time: 6 rib racks, or 6 full chickens, or even 34 burgers!
What about the Traeger Pro Series 34 vs Traeger Pro 780?
The Traeger Pro Series 34 is an awesome “1st Generation” Traeger and it’s actually BIGGER than the Traeger pro 780 that I’m recommending. The Traeger Pro Series 34 has 884 square inches of grilling space vs 780 square inches on the Traeger Pro 780. The additional grilling space on the Traeger Pro Series 34 will let you cook another rack of ribs (7 vs 6), 2 more chickens (8 vs 6), or 6 more burgers (40 vs 34).
The Traeger Pro Series 34 is consistently highly rated on Amazon and other sites and if you need the biggest Pro series grill, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 could be for you, BUT you’ll be giving up all the new tech that comes standard on the Traeger Pro 780 – that includes the WiFire technology and more. If the tech doesn’t matter and you just want SPACE, then the Traeger Pro Series 34 is a great buy, just know what you’re giving up so you can make an informed decision.
The Traeger Ironwood Series Grills currently come in two sizes The Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885. As with the Pro 575 and 780 the only difference is grilling space. As with the Pro recommendation, (if you have the budget) we’re suggesting you go with the Ironwood 885 so you don’t regret the lack of space later.
Traeger Ironwood 885
Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro Series
The Traeger Ironwood series is a newer line than the Traeger Pro line and the Ironwood models offer a couple more features that may or may not be important to you. Here’s a video comparison of the Traeger Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885 vs Traeger Pro 575 and Pro 780…
Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro
The quick summary is the Traeger Ironwood has all the best features of the Treager Pro AND also includes double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option.
Traeger threads on Reddit and other forums about the Ironwood vs the Pro are somewhat mixed, however the majority of people who have actually purchased the Traeger Ironwood seem to be really happy with it – especially as the Downdraft Exhaust and Tru Convection seem to provide more smoke in the chamber longer for more smoke flavor.
Traeger Ironwood Video
Ironwood 650 vs Ironwood 885 Cooking Capacity
Here’s what you can cook on the Traeger Ironwood 650 vs 885 models…
The Traeger Timberline Series Grills is not for the faint of heart – these are the mack daddy Traeger Grills for home cooks with only the Commercial Line offering larger sizes. There are currently two Timberline sizes: Traeger Timberline 850 and Traeger Timberline 1300. Again the only difference is the grilling space: 850 square inches or 1300 square inches. You’re going to be approaching $2000 for the Timberline but if you’re reading this and considering a Timberline, I’m assuming budget is not really an issue for you and therefore I’m assuming you’ll want the best of the best – that’s the Timberline 1300.
Traeger Timberline Video
Traeger Timberline Features
The Traeger Timberline grills are Traeger’s premier outdoor cooking solution. You’ll get all the best features of the Pro Series AND all of the following too…
Timberline D2® Controller
WiFIRE® Technology
Timberline D2® Direct Drive
TurboTemp®
GrillGuide®
Three tiers of stainless steel grates
Double-wall stainless steel interior
Pellet Sensor
Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Board
Concealed Grease Management System
Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills
Here’s a great video review by Embers Outdoor Living on the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills…
Here’s a quick summary of the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline grills…
Cooking Space: Timberline offer 885 or 1300 square inches of grilling space vs the 650 or 885 square inches on the Ironwood
# of Racks: Timberline has 3 vertical cooking racks vs Ironwood single rack + warming shelf
Grill Grate Materials: Timberline features solid 304 stainless steel cooking grates vs the Ironwood ironwood porcelain coated grates.
Grill Hood: Timberline has a full doubled lined hood (not just side walls) and a gasket all the way around the grill that is commercial grade (which could help with keeping cooking temps consistent in colder weather).
Hopper Sensor – Timberline’s hopper sensor alerts you when your wood pellets are getting low.
Bamboo Cutting Board – standard with the Timberline.
Traeger Timberline 850 and 1300 Grilling Capacity
Here’s a look at what you can cook on the Traeger Timberline grills.
Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Current Prices
The Traeger Timberline series is harder to find online and are often sold out even on Traeger’s site.
You’ll likely see prices for the Traeger Timberline 850 around $1800 and the Traeger Timberline 1300 around $2000.
What’s the Best Traeger Grill? Final Verdict
Like I said early on, the Best Traeger Grill is the one that’s right for YOU. We’ve given you four great options to choose from and hopefully helped you narrow down your choice to 1 or 2 best Traeger models that you’ll be happy with. That said, we’re not going to totally cop out on you without giving you are Best “Overall” Traeger Grill choice – or in this case choices…
While the Traeger Timberline is very cool (if you can find it), we’re not completely sure that the extra features are worth it compared to the Ironwood Series.
Personally we believe the Ironwood Series is the sweet spot of Traegerhood.
In the case of the Ironwood, we DO believe the value for the money is there with the extra features you’ll enjoy with the Ironwood over the pro line: for a bit more money you’re getting a lot, including double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traeger’s Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option – as I noted earlier, actual Traeger Ironwood users in online forums say time and again they are happy with their purchase decision.
But wait, there’s more. If you find yourself traveling a lot and wishing you had a Traeger Grill with you, you may want to consider going with the COMBO of the Traeger Pro 780 and the Traeger Tailgeter 20. You should be able to get both for under $1500 (which is the likely price you’ll pay for the Ironwood 885 and less than either of the Timberline models). You would only do this if you cook often away from the house and in this case you’ll be sacrificing some technology in favor of portability but it’s a great way to stretch your dollar farther.
Well there you have it, our choice for the Best Traeger Grill. Do you agree with these recommendations? Do you have a different opinion. Are you a Traeger owner? If so, what model do you have and what tips do you have to share?
If you’re a fan of the Amazon Fire TV Interface like I am, then you’ll be excited to know that Amazon has made a positive change to its Fire TV’s LIVE Tab that now allows the Channel Guide on the Live Tab to show you what’s on your favorite streaming apps like Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Pluto TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and more.
What’s the benefit of Amazon’s Fire TV Live Tab?
The Amazon Fire TV LIVE Tab Channel Guide allows you to see that’s playing on all the services intergrated with this feature WITHOUT having to go into the various apps to find out what’s on.
This is a major time saving feature and makes the Amazon Fire TV interface much more like a cable replacement service.
If you are a fellow cord cutter like me and/or someone who is looking to ditch cable tv and save money, then you really need to check out the Amazon Fire TV experience – especially now with these updates to the Live Tab, you’re going to find a much less expensive way to watch tv online.
If you want to learn more about Amazon Fire TV and find the right Amazon Fire TV Device, check out this article I wrote…
Why did Amazon make this change?
Because the people have spoken and Amazon’s analytics have shown them that the LIVE Tab is now one of the most used features of the Fire TV Interface.
In addition, Amazon Fire TV’s biggest competitor is Roku and they recently added their own version of a Live TV Channel Guide so Amazon pretty much had to do this to keep up with Roku’s domination of the streaming digital media player landscape.
How do you make sure the Live Tab will show the streaming service you want?
To get the Live Tab Channel Guide to show what’s on specific streaming service you want, do the following:
Make sure you have downloaded the streaming app you want to watch (for example Hulu or Sling) on your Fire TV device.
Make sure you are signed in to the streaming app and that your account is active.
Now you should be able to see the streaming app’s content on the Live Tab Channel Guide.
BONUS: Amazon’s Fire TV platform can be controlled by Alexa Voice controls. That means you can ‘ASK ALEX’ to open the Live Tab Channel Guide, change the channel, and do any number of other Alexa tasks of your choice.
Courtesy of Lew Jansen
Courtesy of BobandMilissa Keel
That Helpful Dad 